Centrality of the Cross

In my brief journey in church ministry I am amazed at the decline of the preaching of the cross. It seems that Christians are more likely to sport a cross around their neck, a fish on their car, or wear some cheesy Christian t-shirt rather than want to speak of or hear about the slaughter of Jesus on the Cross. We live in a society that proposes a new gospel of health, wealth, with a nice bowl of cheerios due to the pressure of political correctness. Paul in his letter to the church of Galatia says this, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9

Regardless of our personal opinions, political preference, denomination, eschatology, ecclesiology, or our personal stance on the gifts of the Spirit, we must never lose sight that we as Christians have to be together for the gospel with the cross as center. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. If we take the offense of the gospel out, the same offense that I experienced as a non-believer, then it's not the gospel. I remember cursing the idea that Jesus was the only way. I referred to it as ridiculous and stupid. I would take God's name in vain just to offend those who treasured His name. How could we ever attempt to remove the atoning sacrifice and substitution from the gospel? Without the gospel of Jesus I am cursed and have no hope.

We as young believers have to get past our differences and remain true to the gospel, the true gospel we read about in the Bible. My prayer is that we consider the wrath of God displayed on the Cross on our behalf. Our hope is in the gospel with the cross central. We cannot, and must not bow down to the Oprah's of today. God have mercy on me or anyone who preaches or teaches another gospel contrary to the true gospel so plainly laid out for us in Scripture.

Our goal is not to be offensive with our judgmental attitudes. Jesus demands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our love expressed through sacrificial suffering, while on the pathway of obedience, all for the sake of the gospel is our mandate. Oh what a glorious calling!